Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms Sheffield’s Connor Finch goes above the Otto-Eldred Terrors for two hard-fought points Tuesday in a 52-41 loss.

After a strong start and building up as much as a 10-point lead, the Wolverines fell to 1-2 after a disappointing early season loss Tuesday night to visiting Otto-Eldred 52-41.

“We’re game three here,” said Sheffield head coach Jordan Copley. “We’re learning, we’re growing as a team. We’re building chemistry. There’s things we’re getting better at every game as well, and I see it out there, we just got to learn to finish these things.”

Connor Finch started strong with 7 points in the first quarter, sinking two baskets early and going 3 of 4 from the line, but Otto-Eldred was able to adjust and utilizing the full-court press for most of the remainder of the game, held Finch to just 7 points through the final three quarters, giving him 14 on the day, along with nine rebounds.

“They did a good job of taking Finch out of the middle there,” said Copley. “Mental toughness, I keep talking about mental toughness. Things aren’t going our way, we got to answer better when we have our opportunities.”

To start the second, the Wolverines were up 16-9, which quickly became a 10-point lead after Colby Barr hit a 3, but Otto-Eldred was able to cut that lead in half capitalizing off Sheffield errors, to go into the half down five, 23-28. The Terrors weren’t done fighting, with under the five minutes to go in the third Landon Francis hit a game-changing 3 to give Otto-Eldred their first lead of the night 28-27.

Sheffield would regain the lead only to lose it again as the Terrors would make three of their next four free throws. Lucas McNeal tied the game at 31 after an aggressive drive to the hoop, which would be the last time the Wolverines would not be trailing Otto-Eldred.

“Lack of discipline,” said Copley. “We know where we want to go with the ball, we just didn’t get it there and execute.”

Otto-Eldred outscored Sheffield 17-10 in the fourth to seal the comeback win. Behind Finch was Mason Silvis putting up 8 points and Lucas McNeal with 6. The Wolverines will travel to cross-county rival Youngsville Thursday evening.

OTTO-ELDRED (52)

Splain 5 4-5 17, Francis 2 12-14 16, Shene 5 2-6 12, Cousins 1 2-3 7, Totals 13 20-32 52.

SHEFFIELD (41)

Finch 5 4-6 14, Silvis 0 2-2 8, McNeal 3 0-0 6, Wotorson 1 2-2 4, Hardwick 1 2-2 4, Barr 0 0-0 3, Kyler 1 0-0 2, Totals 11 10-12 41.

3-Point Goals–Splain, Cousins, Silvis 2, Barr.

Otto-Eldred 9 9 17 17 – 52

Sheffield 16 7 8 10 – 41